In the first post of this series, I wrote about the Federal False Claims Act ("FCA") and that it creates a cause of action for employees called a "qui tam" action. I compared the FCA to the basic principles underlying Ohio's whistleblower statute. In my second post, I...
Court Rejects Age Discrimination Claim Based on University Policy
An Ohio Court rejected an employee's age discrimination claim based on a University policy rejecting the rehire of former retired employees. Dunaway v. University of Cincinnati, Court of Claims No. 2010-11137 (Jan. 20, 2012): Dunaway applied for employment as an...
Midwestern state could see major child custody changes
More states are focusing on parenting time, and Ohio residents may be interested to learn that one state is considering a law that would mandate nearly equal child custody time in some divorce cases. Unless there is evidence of child abuse or one parent...
Whistleblowing Protection Increasing for Public Employees
Yesterday, the Ohio House joined the Senate in unanimously passing a bill to set up a fraud tracking system for fraud reported to the Ohio Auditor and extend whistleblowing protections to those who report the fraud. State Representative Ross McGregor, the bill's...
Federal program targets those with unpaid child support
The stress divorce places on Ohio families can be tremendous. When one parent fails to meet their obligation to pay child support, the strain unnecessarily increases. People dealing with an uncooperative ex-spouse are now receiving much needed attention from the U.S....
Labor Union Fines Upheld Even Without Work
Employees should thoroughly review the obligations they are agreeing to when considering whether to join a Labor Union. A recent case from the Ninth District Court of Appeals from Medina, Ohio demonstrates that Union membership could cost you, literally. ...
How legal separation can help protect your assets
Many Ohio couples choose to go through a "trial separation" if they are considering divorce. Sometimes, though, this trial period can go on for too long. While some may think they're being practical and economical by not taking formal legal action to end the marriage,...
National Labor Relations Board Rules Arbitration Provision Violates Act
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) ruled on January 6, 2012 that it is a violation of federal labor law, specifically Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to require employees to sign arbitration agreements that prevent them from joining...
Lady Gaga’s Touring Company Subject to Fair Labor Standards Act
Large employers are not the only ones subject to the reach of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Jennifer L. O'Neill, former assistant to Lady Gaga, has filed a Complaint against Mermaid Touring Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern...
Teenage dream over for Katy Perry and Russell Brand
Twenty million dollars. That is how much Russell Brand is set to receive in his high-asset divorce from pop princess Katy Perry, according to recent reports. Brand, 36, apparently filed for divorce on Dec. 30 after 14 months of marriage. Ohio residents may find this...